State Water Plan Receives Initial Approval Despite Missing Data Center Analysis
The Texas Water Development Board recently gave initial approval to the 2027 State Water Plan. Despite its high cost, the plan has drawn criticism for omitting a crucial analysis of water usage by data centers, with the board citing a lack of historical data for this exclusion.
The Texas Water Development Board granted initial approval to the 2027 State Water Plan last week. This comprehensive plan outlines proposed actions for Texas over the next 50 years to address its water needs, carrying a significant estimated cost of $174 billion, which is more than double the previous plan approved in 2022. Despite the increased budget, the types of projects proposed remain consistent with earlier state water plans.
A major point of concern raised by critics is the plan's omission of an analysis regarding water usage by data centers, a topic noted as a growing area of interest. The Water Development Board stated that "limited historical data" prevented the inclusion of such an analysis in the 2027 plan. Most of the funding for these water initiatives is expected to come from local sources, including bonds, utility revenue, state financial assistance, and some federal funds.